Uyari ransomware virus: what it is and how to remove it

Uyari ransomware is a name of a virus which is yet another geo-targeted cyber infection. This time, computer users from Turkey are in the epicenter of the infection.

Facts checked October 6, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.

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Uyari ransomware virus: illustration
Uyari ransomware virus as our 2016 report showed it.

Uyari ransomware virus: summary

Detection namesNo Microsoft detection name is known
Ransom noteNot recorded in our earlier report
ContactNot recorded in our earlier report
Encrypted file extension.locked
DecryptorNo free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates
DistributionNot recorded in the old report
Removal

Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged.

Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free.
Show 9 more facts
DamageNot recorded in the old report
NameUyari ransomware virus
TypeFile-encrypting ransomware
SymptomsFiles renamed with a new extension
EvidenceOne write-up by a security site; details still limited
Encrypted files.locked
Free decryptorNo free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026)
First seen1 August 2016
Facts checked6 October 2026

Traces of Uyari ransomware virus you can check

  • File extension: .locked

How Uyari ransomware virus behaves

From our report of Aug 2016 · not reviewed since

The main principles of Uyari ransomware

Uyari ransomware is a name of a virus which is yet another geo-targeted cyber infection.

This time, computer users from Turkey are in the epicenter of the infection. So, if you are somewhere around the area - brace yourself to withstand the potential attack. The best way to do it is, of course, learning more about the virus, how it spreads, where can you encounter it and using this knowledge to avoid it.

Though if you are not willing to waste your time reading up and wish to terminate the virus immediately, you can skip straight to the virus removal and use to get rid of the infection.

As we have already mentioned, this virus is based on a specific location and the intended audience clearly reflects in the ransomware ransom note as well, since it is written all in Turkish. We should remind you that the virus drops a ransom note in the last stages of the system infiltration after it is done encrypting the files with a complex algorithm.

The ransom note gives the victim some basic information about what happened to the computer, why the containing files are inaccessible and what can be done to regain the access. The note is delivered in HTML format and is labeled "DOSYALARINIZA ULAŞMAK İÇİN AÇINIZ".

Essentially, the hackers demand the virus victims to pay a large sum of money (around $1315.66) for the file decryption key. The problem is, no one knows whether this key actually exists or if the cyber criminals will keep their promise to provide you with one.

Therefore, a more reliable option is to delete the virus from the computer and to search for some other ways to decrypt the data. This way, you will not risk getting scammed and will not unwillingly support the cyber criminals in the development of even more malicious programs.

What is also worth noting is that the encrypted files will feature the ".locked" extension, and as long as this extension is appended, the data will be impossible to access. At the moment of writing, there are no tools that could eliminate it, but there is software which can help you carry out the Uyari removal from your computer and prevent infection of your future files.

Uyari ransomware virus: illustration
Uyari ransomware virus in our 2016 report.

From our report of Aug 2016 · not reviewed since

Ways this ransomware spreads and takes over computers

If you want to avoid losing your important data to the fraudulent Uyari virus, you should first make sure your system and software are updated.

Outdated system or applications can create conditions for the ransomware virus to infect computers and lock your documents. Also, try keeping away from suspicious websites, software download pages, and other insecure domains, because they are often used to distribute ransomware and similar viruses, trojans, and worms around. Especially common tendency is hiding the malicious script in software updaters, such as Adobe Flash Player.

Thus, you should always update your software on official sites only. Finally, be cautious around your email, because an infected file can come attached to spam. Once Uyari is downloaded and installs on the computer, it will be very difficult to stop it, so you should prevent the infiltration before it takes place.

How to remove Uyari ransomware virus

Tools you'll need

All of these are free except where noted. Download them on a clean device if the infected PC is offline.

  • A USB stick: to keep the ransom note, two or three encrypted files and screenshots off the infected PC.
  • Microsoft Defender Offline: built into Windows 11 and Windows 10; scans before Windows starts, so running malware cannot hide.
  • Microsoft Safety Scanner: a second, portable scanner with current signatures; each download works for 10 days.
  • ID Ransomware: identifies the family from the note and one encrypted file and says whether a decryptor exists.
  • No More Ransom: the free decryptors from police and security companies; check it again every few months.
  • Fortect (optional): scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. The free scan is in the box above.

How to remove Uyari ransomware virus and get your files back

Work in this order.

Disconnecting comes first, removal comes before any restore, and nothing here asks you to contact the attackers.

  1. Step 1: Disconnect the PC and unplug backup drives

    Unplug the network cable or turn off Wi-Fi, and disconnect USB drives, external disks and network shares, so Uyari ransomware virus cannot reach more files. Pause OneDrive, Google Drive or Dropbox sync, because synced folders upload the encrypted copies over the good ones.

    Leave the PC on but offline while you read the next steps, since a restart can let the ransomware run again. This applies to Windows 11 and Windows 10 alike.

    Windows 11 quick settings with Wi-Fi turned off
    Windows 11: turn off Wi-Fi to take the PC offline.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files

  2. Step 2: Save the ransom note and identify the family

    The name of the family decides whether a free decryptor can help. Copy the ransom note and two small encrypted files to a USB stick, and check them on another device with ID Ransomware or Crypto Sheriff.

    Note the extension added to the files, the contact address and the victim ID shown in the note. Keep the originals on the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC untouched.

    A ransom note text file next to encrypted files in File Explorer
    Windows 11: the ransom note and encrypted files to copy for identification.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files

  3. Step 3: Check for a free decryptor

    Our last check found that for Uyari ransomware virus, no free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026). Look again yourself in the No More Ransom list and the free decryptor pages of Emsisoft, Avast and Kaspersky, which add new families every year.

    A decryptor needs the ransomware gone first, or it encrypts the files again. Keep at least one copy of the encrypted files on an external drive, even if no tool works yet.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files

  4. Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt

    Removing Uyari ransomware virus does not bring the files back, but it has to come first. Start with Defender's Full scan, then the offline scan from the same Scan options page, which checks the disk before Windows loads.

    If the scan cannot start, use Safe Mode with Networking. Delete the ransom notes only after you have saved a copy, because removal tools sometimes leave them behind on Windows 11 and Windows 10.

    Windows Security Scan options with Microsoft Defender Antivirus offline scan selected
    Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan

  5. Step 5: Look for shadow copies of the files

    Windows keeps shadow copies for restore points and backups, and some ransomware fails to delete them. vssadmin list shadows in an administrator Command Prompt tells you at once whether any exist.

    If they do, right-click the folder that held your files, open Properties > Previous Versions, select a version from before the attack, and click Open to check it before you Restore or copy the files out. Windows 11 and Windows 10 both have the tab.

    Command Prompt running vssadmin list shadows
    Windows 11: vssadmin list shadows shows whether shadow copies exist.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files

  6. Step 6: Restore the files from a backup or recover deleted originals

    A backup made before the attack is the surest way back. Connect it only once the PC is clean, then restore from File History, Windows Backup, OneDrive's Restore your OneDrive or your own external copies.

    Without a backup, try file recovery: the originals that Uyari ransomware virus deleted may still be on the disk until something overwrites them. Install nothing new on the drive you want to recover from on the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Recover deleted files (Recycle Bin, backups, OneDrive) On uGetFix

Instructions for each browser and system

The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.

Manual removal using Safe Mode

Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.

Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking

Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment.

Windows 7 / Vista / XP

  1. Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
  2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. - it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
  3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.Windows 7/XP

Windows 10 / Windows 8

  1. Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
    Settings
  2. Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
    Update and security
  3. On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
  4. Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
  5. Click Restart now.
    Reboot
  6. Select Troubleshoot.Choose an option
  7. Go to Advanced options.Advanced options
  8. Select Startup Settings.Startup settings
  9. Press Restart.
  10. Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.Enable safe mode

Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes

Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details.
    Open task manager
  3. Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
  4. Right-click and select Open file location.
    Open file location
  5. Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
    End task
  6. Delete the contents of the malicious folder.

Step 3. Check program Startup

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Go to Startup tab.
  3. Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
    Startup

Step 4. Delete virus files

Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:

  1. Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
    Disk cleanup
  2. Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
  3. Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following: Temporary Internet Files
    Downloads
    Recycle Bin
    Temporary files
  4. Pick Clean up system files.
    Delete temp files
  5. You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter): %AppData%
    %LocalAppData%
    %ProgramData%
    %WinDir%

After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.

From our report of Aug 2016 · not reviewed since

Uyari removal suggestions and options for the file recovery

Since Uyari virus is not a lightweight infection, you will require a slightly more heavyweight software to take care of it.

You may have to use the manual virus decontamination instructions provided below the article if the infection is blocking the anti-malware tool from doing its job. Otherwise, you should trust the Uyari removal to reliable automatic tools. Remember that you can try recovering your files from a backup or restoring them using specialized data recovery tools only when you remove Uyari from your computer.

Report it and recover your files

Report it

Report the attack even if you do not expect the files back: insurers and banks ask for the report number, and police use the contacts in the note to link cases.

United States
FBI IC3 · FTC ReportFraud

Give the victim ID, the note and the date the files were encrypted. A business that holds personal data may also have to notify its data protection authority, in the EU within 72 hours.

Protect the files you restore

Restore only after the scans are clean and the PC no longer shows files that end in .locked and no longer open; otherwise the restored copies can be damaged again.

Then build a backup that survives the next infection:

  • one copy in the cloud with version history
  • one on an external drive that is disconnected between backups
  • the working copy on the PC

Version history matters because a backup that syncs damaged files overwrites the good ones.

How to do this with the tools built into Windows: the 3-2-1 backup rule on Windows.

Protect your privacy - employ a VPN

There are several ways how to make your online time more private - you can access an incognito tab.

However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise.

Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.

No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool

If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers - human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence.

In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.

If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market - it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.

Questions about Uyari ransomware virus

How do I open .locked files?

You cannot open them by renaming or with another program, because the content of files ending in .locked has been encrypted. The only ways back are a working decryptor for the family, or clean copies from elsewhere:

  • OneDrive versions
  • File History
  • an offline backup drive
  • Previous Versions if the ransomware did not delete them

Identify the family first by uploading the ransom note and one encrypted file to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom. Avoid websites and programs that promise to open any encrypted file; they do not work and some are scams.

Is there a free Uyari ransomware virus decryptor?

We last checked on 6 October 2026, and for Uyari ransomware virus no free decryptor is known. We check No More Ransom, which collects free tools from police and security companies, and the decryptor pages of the major antivirus vendors. A working decryptor exists only when the encryption has a flaw or the keys were leaked or seized.

Ignore sites and videos that offer a "Uyari ransomware virus decryptor" for download or for a fee: these are usually scams or malware. Real decryptors are free and come from known security companies or law enforcement. Keep the encrypted files in case a tool appears later.

How did Uyari ransomware virus get on my computer?

The way Uyari ransomware virus spreads has not been documented yet, so look at your own recent activity. On home PCs, ransomware most often comes with cracked programs, game cheats, key generators and fake updates, or with an e-mail attachment that was opened. On business networks, attackers usually log in through Remote Desktop with a stolen or guessed password.

Think back to what was downloaded or installed in the days before files that end in .locked and no longer open, and check the Downloads folder and Installed apps sorted by date. Keep anything suspicious for your report, but do not run it again.

Should I pay the ransom?

We advise against it, and so do the FBI, Europol and national cyber agencies. Payment does not guarantee a working tool: some attackers never reply, some tools damage files, and some variants have no decryptor at all. Paying also funds further attacks and can make you a target again.

Before considering payment, try every recovery option in this guide and report the attack. Companies must involve their legal adviser and insurer, because payments to sanctioned groups can be illegal. If files are truly irreplaceable, store the encrypted copies and wait; decryptors sometimes appear later.

Can a data-recovery company decrypt my files for a fee?

Only if a decryptor already exists or the company pays the attackers for you. Some "ransomware recovery" services advertise that they can decrypt families with no known flaw; in practice they negotiate with the attackers and add their own fee. Others use the same free tools listed on No More Ransom.

Before you hire anyone, ask in writing how they will recover the files, whether they will contact the attackers and what happens if they fail. A legitimate service answers clearly. If a free decryptor exists for your family, you can run it yourself.

Did Uyari ransomware virus steal my files or passwords?

We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Uyari ransomware virus, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .locked and no longer open, which says nothing about what happened before. Many current ransomware attacks copy files or run a password stealer first, so it is wise to act as if they did.

From a clean device, change the passwords that were saved in the browsers on this PC, starting with e-mail and banking, sign out of all sessions and turn on two-step verification. Watch bank statements and account activity for the next few weeks.

Is Uyari ransomware virus the same as other ransomware with a similar name?

Not necessarily. Ransomware names come from the file extension, the note or a word in the code, so unrelated families often end up with similar names, and one family can appear under several names. The difference matters: a decryptor or advice for one family does not fit another and can damage files.

Compare the ending added to your files and the exact name of the note with the summary table at the top of this guide, then upload the note and one encrypted file to ID Ransomware from a clean device. If the result names another family, follow the guide for that family instead.

My files got .locked overnight. What happened?

Ransomware often runs at night or when the PC is idle, so the encryption finishes before anyone notices. It usually entered earlier through a cracked program, a fake installer, an e-mail attachment or remote desktop with a weak password.

The .locked extension marks every file it reached. Start by disconnecting the PC from the network, then identify the family from the ransom note and one encrypted file, check for a decryptor, and look for copies in backups and OneDrive before you consider anything else.

Will removing Uyari ransomware virus unlock my .locked files?

No. Removing Uyari ransomware virus stops it from encrypting more files and from starting again, but it does not decrypt the files that already end in .locked. The scanner does not have the attackers' key.

Files come back only from a backup, from copies the ransomware did not reach, such as OneDrive version history, Previous Versions, e-mail attachments or a phone, or with a working decryptor if one exists.

Remove the ransomware first anyway: if you restore files while it is still active, it can encrypt them again. Keep the encrypted files; a decryptor may be published later.

Will Fortect remove Uyari ransomware virus?

Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.

For Uyari ransomware virus, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.

Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.

Sources

  1. CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)
  2. No More Ransom (read October 6, 2026)
  3. FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)
  4. Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 6, 2026)
  5. Microsoft Learn: How Microsoft names malware (read October 6, 2026)

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